John B. Nye, Ed.D.

April 27, 2013

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poconorecord.com

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Posted Apr. 29, 2013 at 12:01 AM

Posted Apr. 29, 2013 at 12:01 AM

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John B. Nye, Ed.D., 81, of Barrett Township, devoted husband, loving father, grandfather and lifelong educator, died peacefully at home on April 27, 2013, surrounded by his family and his wife of 60 years, Judith (Fowler) Nye.

He was the eldest son of the late John B. Nye Sr. and Frances (Sandana) Nye. He was preceded in death by one brother, Francis Nye of Williamsport.

A lengthy battle with cancer could not subdue John's positive nature, his boundless sense of humor, his devotion to his family, or the grace and fortitude with which he met each and every day.

John served his country during the Korean War in the U.S. Air Force, 126th Bomber Wing. Upon his return, he went to college on the G.I. Bill, earning a Bachelor of Science in mathematics at Lock Haven University (1957) and began his career as a math teacher at Kennett High School in Kennett Square. While pursuing his master's degree, he briefly left teaching in 1961 for two years to work as a systems analyst at E. I. du Pont in Wilmington, Del. During this time, he completed his master's degree in mathematics education at the University of Delaware (1963).

However, John was an educator at heart and returned to teaching mathematics at both Kennett High School and Wilmington Friends School, serving as the department chair at Kennett High. During this time, he was a part-time mathematics instructor at Lincoln University during the summers until 1968.

Active in the community as well, he was elected to Kennett Square Borough Council, 1964 to 1968, and as president of Kennett Area Jaycees in 1964. John received the Outstanding Young Educator Award in 1964, the Outstanding Citizens Award in 1966 from the Kennett Area Jaycees and the Excellence in Purpose Award from Lincoln University in 1968.

In 1968, John moved his family to the Poconos upon becoming principal at Pleasant Valley High School in Brodheadsville. In 1973, he earned his Ed.S. from Lehigh University and served as superintendent of schools, Pleasant Valley School District, until his retirement in 1988. During this time, he attained his doctorate in education from California Coast University (1978) and completed post-doctoral work at Purdue University (1979) and Harvard University (1983 to 1988).

John's community services included: board of directors, Monroe County Red Cross (1969 to 1972); board of trustees, Pocono Medical Center (1980 to 1985); member and vice chair, Monroe County Planning Commission (1978 to 1986); and board of directors, Monroe County United Way (1985).

Having an affinity for the New England states led John to his next adventure in education. He accepted a position as superintendent of schools at Maine Area School District No. 51 in Cumberland, Maine, in 1988. But being so far away from their family was difficult, so John and his wife returned in 1990 to the Poconos, where he taught mathematics and social studies at Notre Dame High School until 1998. He served on the board of trustees of Msgr. McHugh Foundation (1990 to present) and the board of education for Diocese of Scranton (1995 to 2001).

In 1990, John became active in the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees (PASR). His full-time dedication to this organization included work at both the local and state level as follows: past president, Monroe County Chapter, legislative/political education chair, Monroe County, Region 3 L/PEC chair (1999 to 2003); state PASR L/PEC chair (2002 to 2004); PASR state assistant treasurer (2004 to 2006); PASR state vice-president (2006 to 2008); PASR state president elect (2008 to 2010); and PASR state president (2010 to 2012). In addition, John volunteered time to AARP advocacy issues and as a state liaison to PASR.

In addition to his wife, Judith, he is survived by three daughters: Catherine Siglin and her husband, James, of Mountainhome; Stephanie Schnaithmann and her husband, Peter, of Camp Hill; and Jennifer Straub and her husband, Stephen, of Stroudsburg; four grandchildren: Robert Siglin, Courtney Siglin, Meghan Straub and Danielle Straub; one great-granddaughter, Mia Harlacker; and one niece and five nephews.

There will be a visitation from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, at Bolock Funeral Home & Crematory, 6148 Paradise Valley Road, Cresco. The Rev. Joseph Kopacz will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 2, at Church of St. Bernadette, Route 390, Canadensis. Burial will take place at St. Agnes Cemetery in Lock Haven at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made to VNA Hospice House of Monroe County, 502 Independence Road, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301; or to Most Holy Trinity Parish, 27 Fairview Ave., Mount Pocono, PA 18344.